BMC unions agreed to postpone strike

Ann Twomey, president of the Health Professional and Allied Employees Union, said a proposed one-day strike for June 1 at Bayonne Medical Center will be put off until June 6 to honor requests from Rep. Albio Sires and Bayonne Mayor Mark Smith for a cooling off period.

"Our union negotiating committee agreed to extend our contract and strike deadline to June 6,” she said. “We welcome the opportunity to extend negotiations and avoid a disruption in our ability to provide patient care to ou

Elected officials have brokered a four-day cooling off period between Bayonne Medical Center officials and the union that represents 843 of its workers, but the stopgap measure may not be enough to avert a lockout at the facility.

Management officials have said that if the workers represented by the Health Professional and Allied Employees don't sign a contract by Monday, the day after the current contract is set to expire, they will lock out the workers and bring in replacements on June 7, the day after this brokered cooling off period ends, according to union officials.

If you believe that your local may go on strike it is important to sign up for agency work at this time. More importantly you need to collect data which I sin you personnel or health record in administration. Check the 7 bullets of the attached document and make sure that you obtain this information before any strike or lockout begins. Once a job action begins administration will not permit you to enter the hospital.

If you have questions contact Bernie Gerard at: bgerard@hpae.org